Vehicle Mirror Arm Assembly Rigid Joining Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side view mirror assemblies for vehicles experience vibrations due to play and twisting between arm members, which reduces their utility and lifespan, especially in power folding and towing mirrors.
Innovation Solution
An assembly comprising two arm members with integrally formed sleeves having interlocking profiles and a tightener that securely locks the arms together, eliminating relative movement and play between the arm members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If two separate arm members are joined via a perpendicularly orientated joining member with a rod and recess configuration, then the assembly can be constructed from separate components for easier installation, but play and twisting occur between the arm members causing vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The joining member is divided into two separate sleeves that are integrally formed with the respective arm members, allowing the arms to be assembled separately and then joined through the sleeves without requiring complex pre-alignment or perpendicular joining structures
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking profiles on the sleeves are drawn together through the tightener to merge the two arm members into a single rigid unit, eliminating play and twisting while maintaining the benefit of separate component assembly
2Strength
If the rod has a snug fit within the recess to reduce play, then connection strength is improved, but some degree of play and twisting still occurs enabling relative movement
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking profiles on the sleeves feature asymmetric toothed or gear-like structures that interengage to prevent relative movement and twisting between the arm members, providing both strength and stability through the interlocking mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The tightener dynamically draws the interlocking profiles into engagement, transitioning the connection from a static snug fit to an actively locked interlocking state that eliminates play and twisting while maintaining assembly ease
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is an assembly for a side view mirror for a vehicle. The assembly comprises two arm members which are configured to receive a side view mirror thereat and a joining member for joining the arm members. The joining member comprises two sleeves, where each sleeve projects from a respective arm member and comprises an interlocking profile at a distal end thereof. The assembly also comprises a tightener configured for receipt through the sleeves when the sleeves are in an aligned configuration. Tightening the tightener draws the interlocking profiles of the aligned sleeves into engagement, whereby the arm members become rigidly joined.